Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan have approved a bill aimed at enhancing the healthcare system, ensuring access to guaranteed medical services, and regulating the professional activities of medical and pharmaceutical workers.

In recent years, Uzbekistan has undertaken systematic efforts to improve medical accessibility, enhance healthcare personnel training, and introduce modern diagnostic and treatment methods. As a result, primary and specialized medical care has become more accessible to the population. Currently, over 18,000 medical teams and 2,104 mahalla medical centers operate within the primary healthcare system.

The approved bill introduces regulations focused on:

Establishing a legal framework for providing additional medical services outside the guaranteed free healthcare package

Implementing a state registration system for medical and pharmaceutical professionals, granting them the right to practice

Defining the procedure for offering paid medical services at primary healthcare institutions for patients seeking treatment without a referral from a family doctor or medical team

Additionally, amendments to Article 41 of the Law on Public Health Protection will introduce automatic state registration for graduates of medical institutions, aligning with the existing qualification system.

The bill is expected to strengthen citizens' rights to quality medical services, improve healthcare delivery, and create a legal framework for medical professionals' activities.

The bill has been approved in its third reading and forwarded to the Senate for further review.